Disclaimer: I own nothing. Absolutely nothing… except maybe the plot for this story… but I barely own that because I'm sure it's copied somewhat from something out there… In short, I am a person who owns nothing, has said they own nothing, and therefore cannot be sued for anything… *sigh* there are ups and downs to everything…
A/N~ First off, I dunno y, but I love that disclaimer… Anyhoo… Thanx to those that reviewed! So very sweet of you! ;-) Oh, and sorry it's taken me so long. Been busy, u know? School's starting soon and all that rot… oh, and I got a PUPPY!! He's adorable! I love love love him! He's a black cock-a-poo (cocker spaniel/poodle mix) and he weighs just about two pounds! He's itty bity, huh? His name is Bandit, because he is one, and he says hi to everyone! (Yes, I can hear him talk…what's it to ya? ;-) )Okay, nehoo…he's adorable…and I guess that's all there is to say! lol
Marybug6otnile: yes, I like the way I did the plumber as well! Lol. J/K thanks thanks thanks! Hey you're the one that helped me after all… Never would've written it if it hadn't been 4 u! (Writer's block sux…lol) Well, ttfn! I'll be talking with ya later! Er…maybe not, cuz it's 7:57 and you're STILL NOT ONLINE!! *ahem* moving on…lol (um…you understand that this was written about 2 weeks before I post this…lol, since I'm so incredibly slow…)
Fanfictionfanatic: Of course he wasn't going to find out about her plan! Not just then anyway… haha
Nakhti: Haha! The fork nonsense came from absolutely nowhere, I can assure you. That is where most nonsense comes from, isn't it? Or was my nonsense just more nonsense than the rest?!?! *Eyes glaze over* I doubt it… Anyhoo, I'm glad you liked it!
Nefertirioc: So glad you liked the fork bit too! And, I know… actually, as soon as I wrote that as his name, that's the only face that came into my mind too! Lol
Well, onto chapter four!
Chapter 4: A Replacement Part 2
The next day when Evelyn would have normally been taking her lunch break, she went to the jewelry shop.
"It's…well, it's…" Evie tried to explain to the owner of the shop what her ring looked like. Unfortunately, she didn't know exactly how to explain a ring… "It has a large diamond on top." Yes, you idiot, a lot of rings have large diamonds on the top… She ridiculed herself and then thought some more. "And rubies on each side of it." And? And?
The owner had been thinking the same thing, including the "idiot" and many other names.
"Are you sure you bought it from here?" He was talking to her as if she were a dimwit, although he was the stupid one for even asking such a silly question…especially twice.
"Yes, I believe I already said that." She knew what he was thinking…and also knew that he was wrong…
He wasn't a very patient man and spoke up so that he could get back to his business. Of course, his business was helping people in the shop, but apparently, that was unknown to him… "Would you like to just look around? Tell me if you see something."
At that he turned round and went into the back of the shop. Evelyn paid it no attention. It wasn't as if she wasn't use to being around stuffy and stuck-up men such as him.
She looked around, seeing numerous beautiful diamond rings, but none looking remotely like her own. Until she got to one of the very last ones. The ring itself was almost the double of hers, but in place of the rubies were turquoise stones. She could simply ask the man to switch them out and she was almost positive that if she did so, there was no way that Rick would ever find out.
*~*~*~*
"This is the ring! Or, at least…almost." Evelyn told the owner.
"Oh!" The man smiled immediately after seeing the ring. He knew right away that she was apparently rich after seeing her choice.
"Well, then, how is it different? I could get it changed for you!"
Evelyn noticed his sudden change in attitude… but ignored it all the same.
"Yes, well," she explained everything that would have to be different.
"Oh! Well, I can do that for you. It'll take weeks of course. Maybe even months! Of course, maybe I could work extra hard and get it done for you early…"
"Yes, that would be great! I would need it done by today, really."
"Maybe… but it's not like me to make promises that I might not be able to keep." There was a twinkle in the man's eye and Evie knew what he wanted. She had known for quite some time now that he was a greedy little buzzard, but she also knew that she needed that ring by tonight and gave into him.
"What if I were to pay you extra?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I don't usually take bribes, but I suppose." The man couldn't even hide his excitement very well, as he grinned from ear to ear.
"Would 50 pounds make it easier?"
"As I said before, ma'am, I'm not very accustomed to bribes and I'm not sure if I could…"
"Alright, alright, 60, but not any higher than that."
The man smirked at her. "I can have it done by 5:00, Mrs. O'Connell." That was perfect. It would be ready even before she would get off of work that day.
*~*~*~*~*
Evelyn smiled happily on her way home. She glanced at her ring again and again, proud of herself for such a brilliant idea. She just knew that Rick would never see through it. He might notice something about the money sometime in the future, but it was money that she had earned and she would just tell him that she gave it as a charity to the museum or something. For now, she didn't care about any of that. She was just happy that this would be over.
Or…at least she thought it was going to be over.
*~*~*~*~*
"Hey, Evie!" Rick said as he greeted her at the door.
"Hello, Darling."
"Were you stuck a little late at work?" He asked.
"Hmm?" she thought for a minute and then remembered that the Jewelry shop was out of the way from work to home. "Oh! No, I stopped by the jewelry shop and picked up my ring."
"What?" Rick asked suddenly with a look of utter confusion on his face. Had he thought before speaking, he would have stopped himself, but Rick never thought before speaking…
"I told you I was getting the diamond replaced…" She had no idea of why he looked so upset about it.
"Oh! Oh, yeah…" He blinked a few times. "Hey, lemme see it."
Evie held up her hand to show him right away, but then realized that it probably wasn't best for her to let him get too close of a look and slowly took her hand away.
"Wait, Evie, I didn't see it that well. It kind of looked a little different. Lemme see it again to make sure." Rick knew what he was doing. He had had the upper hand in this entire situation because he knew what was going on at almost all times.
"Well, that's probably because the diamond's a different cut or something. But it's the same!"
"Really? I thought I saw something different with the rubies."
"Hmm?" She looked at it herself then to check. No. They looked about the same to her…
"Come on, lemme see." He then slipped it off her finger quickly and started to inspect it.
Evie bit her lip in anticipation. He looked for what seemed like 5 minutes to her…then more…then more, until she could barely stand it. She had to tell him the truth. Maybe he wouldn't get too mad…
*~*~*~*~*
Oookay, short chapter, yes. But the next one will be the last! So, just hang in there!
About the part with the bribe for sixty pounds, I just made an estimate. Although I know how much that would be worth today, I definitely don't know how much it was in the 1920's…so…um… if it's a little off, just forgive me. But if it's completely ridiculous, you can tell me and I'll change it, k? K!
Well, if you liked it, drop me a line! Actually, if you didn't like it, drop me a line! If you thought it was complete rubbish and stupidity, drop me a line! Just plain drop me a line! Don't care what you thought! I'll be updating soon enough. I know where I'm going with the next chapter, so I guess it won't take too long.
Love to everyone! Kisses and all that! ;-) G'bye now!
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EvelynC.O